‘Do the Right Thing’s’ Bill Nunn (AKA Radio Raheem) Dies at 62

By Alison Nastasi

Sept 25, 2016

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Bill Nunn, the actor known for playing the Love/Hate-wearing Radio Raheem in Spike Lee’s film Do the Right Thing has died at 62. Nunn is also known for his role as Robbie Robertson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. The Lee collaborator worked with the director on He Got Game, School Daze, and Mo’ Better Blues. Lee reported the news on his Instagram page: “Radio Raheem is now resting in power. Radio Raheem will always be fighting da powers dat be. May God watch over Bill Nunn.” And in another tribute to Nunn, Lee transcribed the dialogue from the actor’s iconic scene in Do the Right Thing:

Radio Raheem. Let me tell you the story of Right Hand, Left Hand. It’s a tale of good and evil. Hate! It was with this hand that Cane iced his brother. Love! These five fingers, they go straight to the soul of man. The right hand: the hand of love. The story of life is this: static. One hand is always fighting the other hand, and the left hand is kicking much ass. I mean, it looks like the right hand, Love is finished. But hold on, stop the presses the right hand is coming back. Yeah, he got the left hand on the ropes, now, that’s right. Yea, Boom, it’s a devastating right and Hate is hurt, he’s down. Ooh! Ooh! Left-Hand Hate KOed by Love. If I love you, I love you. But if I hate you . . . Mookie: there it is, Love and Hate. Raheem I love you bruh . . .